389877 Mon Apr 09 10:59:55 -0700 2007 12 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2463620 It's spring time in LA (not like the whether doesn't allow us to be outside for most of the year). Fellow chowhounders, where are the best areas to bask in the night sky while eating a wonderful meal? Thanks so much! Mon Apr 09 10:59:55 -0700 2007 89990 jmolton 1 2464267 Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas if you are in the Valley: they have nice patio dining, but the food is mediocre Nick & Stef's in downtown L.A.: nice outdoor patio, great happy hour, never been to dinner, but I heard it's okay (not great) Ciudad in downtown L.A.: great happy hour, good food, nice patio area I'm thinking restaurants in Old Town Pasadena or 3rd Street in Santa Monica. Mon Apr 09 13:27:42 -0700 2007 2463620 59502 WHills 1 2464275 Marina del Rey. Sadly cheesecake factory has the best food and its always crowded versus Shanghai Reds, Tony Ps, and Warehouse. Mon Apr 09 13:30:06 -0700 2007 2463620 10620 Xericx 2 2464290 You can go to Shanghai Red's for drinks only; the fire rings and view outside are worth it!! Mon Apr 09 13:33:28 -0700 2007 2464275 78611 aurora50 1 2464340 Cafe Pinot Patina Mike and Anne's Michael's Mon Apr 09 13:43:45 -0700 2007 2463620 11583 ipsedixit 2 2464464 add bistro k to that list Mon Apr 09 14:06:34 -0700 2007 2464340 79299 rickym13 1 2464351 The patio at Rudolpho's in Silverlake is surprisingly serene. It's designed with a lot of plants and a fountain to drown out traffic noises. They have an 'American Bistro' menu of steaks, seafood, and some veggie options. Not too expensive and pretty tasty. Free parking. Mon Apr 09 13:45:15 -0700 2007 2463620 76025 mojoeater 1 2464485 Orso on 3rd in WeHo has one of the two nicest patios in town. The food is good if you keep it simple. http://www.orsorestaurant.com/la/orslamenu.htm Mon Apr 09 14:11:48 -0700 2007 2463620 63713 tony michaels 2 2464994 what about cliff's edge in silver lake, beachwood near abbot kenny...which reminds me...there is a italian and mediterranean sharing a back patio on abbot kenny also. there is also the alcove cafe on hillhurst Mon Apr 09 16:53:45 -0700 2007 2464485 85155 EKIMS 1 2465532 Well, others have grabbed several quality suggestions - to summarize: Orso on 3rd near Cedars, Cliff's Edge in Silver Lake, corner of Sunset and Edgecliff, Stanley's in Sherman Oaks, Il Cielo in Beverly Hills on Burton Way, Lucques on Melrose just a bit east of La Cienega, Wilshire in Santa Monica on Wilshire near 25th St., Il Moro on Olympic west of Sawtelle, Michael's on 2nd St. in Santa Monica. Economics vary on the above, but patios were the discussion - and if Malibu is on the list, then by all means, Geoffrey's. Mon Apr 09 20:47:32 -0700 2007 2463620 10359 carter 1 2465558 Ahhhh, summertime in L.A.: Some thoughts, go to the Reel Inn in Topanga, just off PCH..great meal, and a great patio with the sound of the waves close by. Nicer meal is out on the patio at Jefferys in Point Dume, just off PCH, about two miles north of Latigo Cyn., its on the beach side. Baja Cantina in Venice..what a party, great mexican food done "sushi bar style", a open patio with a volleyball pit so you can party it up or drink to your sorrows while your toes are in the sand under the smoggy sky... There is this awesome place, up topanga canyon, called "Inn of the Seventh Ray". Used to be the Hippie hang out when the beaches were cleared in the 70's. Here you have a beautiful patio, with some great food, and a setting like none other in the Santa Monica Mountains...There is still the feel of the hippie-esque style in the place, but it's a hot spot for those looking for something different. Best Outdoor burger spot in Los Angeles...hands down "the country kitchen in Malibu", located on PCH, just passed "Dukes" on the right hand side. It looks like a tourist t-shirt stand, with just five tables. But go order the Double Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger...you will never be the same. The two guys running the place have been there since i got my drivers license, and surfed around there, and found them...you could use my name to say hi, but "realdeal" won't do much. Gladstones is a great spot for a strong long island on a great patio, but the food is horrible, and the seagulls constantly dive bomb the area, and they have great aim...don't eat, the odds are stacked against you. Sunset with a cocktail after a day surfing at the beach and it's a winner... Mon Apr 09 20:58:43 -0700 2007 2463620 87895 realdeal 1 2465700 A lot of good ones mentioned but a couple more... Pane e Vino Gardens on Glendon in Westwood Montana restaurants like Blue Plate and Le Marmiton Mirabelle Ortolan Sonora Taste Spazio in Sherman Oaks Whist at the Viceroy Wilshire In Brentwood, both Coral Tree Cafe and Cheesecake Factory (I like their tables around the fountain/pond thing) For the grilled chopped salad at the Ivy (I know, I know but the patio is nice) Bite in venice Campagnola Trattoria Dominick's Memphis i Cugini Locando del Lago Locando Veneta Mon Apr 09 22:12:59 -0700 2007 2463620 15572 Emme 1 2465786 The Ivy on Robertson Viceroy Buffalo Club Chateau Marmont (my fave) Spago Hotel Bel Air Asia de Cuba Katana The Little Door Mon Apr 09 23:00:51 -0700 2007 2463620 26854 Frank_Santa_Monica